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Message
ROI on Masters Programs
Posted on 7/24/14 at 9:46 pm
Posted on 7/24/14 at 9:46 pm
Kind of a funny story but I applied to a joint law/mba hybrid program at The George Washington University and got accepted pretty much against all odds as this is a top 20 law school. It's a Procurement/Contracts Law program that's technically a M.S but administered by the Law School. Half Law Classes and half MBA classes.
It'd never thought I'd get in but apparently my resume, recommendations and letter were enough to make up for my General Studies undergrad at LSU. I didn't even take a LSAT, much less GMAT.
Any who, I'm contemplating making the move for the Spring semester. The program is about $60,000 and they only have about 50 students in the program.
I'm hesitant to some extent as the cost seems expensive and weighing the potential earnings benefits. This program is specialized to my field rather than general MBA.
Does anybody know anyone that graduated from GWU? Would this actually increase my long term value rather than just getting a bunch of certs like CPSM or PMP?The ROI I'm not sure would be there to love in LA. I know tons of people with Masters that make 50K and I already well exceed that with income.
It'd never thought I'd get in but apparently my resume, recommendations and letter were enough to make up for my General Studies undergrad at LSU. I didn't even take a LSAT, much less GMAT.
Any who, I'm contemplating making the move for the Spring semester. The program is about $60,000 and they only have about 50 students in the program.
I'm hesitant to some extent as the cost seems expensive and weighing the potential earnings benefits. This program is specialized to my field rather than general MBA.
Does anybody know anyone that graduated from GWU? Would this actually increase my long term value rather than just getting a bunch of certs like CPSM or PMP?The ROI I'm not sure would be there to love in LA. I know tons of people with Masters that make 50K and I already well exceed that with income.
This post was edited on 7/24/14 at 9:48 pm
18
Posted on 7/24/14 at 9:53 pm to Cajun Revolution
quote:
I know tons of people with Masters that make 50K and I already well exceed that with income.
Can't tell you anything about the academics that you're getting into. I am about to enter a Master's program myself and did look into some DC schools. I was accepted into American and decided not to go.
1) Because I thought another program just suited me personally.
2) After tuition + cost of living in DC I was looking at being in a $100k hole coming out.
I do hope you land a job relatively quickly after graduation if you do decide to go to GWU but that kind of number definitely made me wary.
Posted on 7/24/14 at 9:57 pm to Cajun Revolution
quote:
$60,000
Is that just tuition? Quitting your job and going full time?
Posted on 7/24/14 at 9:57 pm to Cajun Revolution
The director of graduate studies in the business school at GW is an LSU alum.
Posted on 7/24/14 at 10:07 pm to Cajun Revolution
Do you actually want to practice law when you finish? If so, do you want to practice at a top tier ("Big law") firm? If so, I'd advise against it. Big firms for the most part do NOT interview students in these types of programs. However, if your next best option is a law school way down (or out of) the top 100, I guess why not?
Posted on 7/25/14 at 8:25 am to Cajun Revolution
If you go into with a clear cut plan it will be worth it. The people with Masters making 50K get it and have no specific end goal in mind they are working toward from my experience.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 8:28 am to Cajun Revolution
quote:
Cajun Revolution
My MBA wasn't worth it but that has more to do with my career choice than the degree.
Seriously, congratulations. That is a great school. You'll be set up nicely after you finish up. Bust arse, make good grades and network your arse off.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:23 am to Cajun Revolution
A law degree from a top program is worth the cost. GWU will also yield connections in the DC area, if that is where you want to work and the network you want to be in.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:28 am to Cajun Revolution
None of this will matter if you don't value the networking this program provides you. Unless you've changed your viewpoint on networking, you won't get the full value.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:36 am to Cajun Revolution
quote:
I'm hesitant to some extent as the cost seems expensive and weighing the potential earnings benefits.
I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I was trying to justify a 40k tuition expense. In the end, I went ahead and completed the program. It came down to a combination of pride and additional income. If I was making the decision on income alone, it would have been a no brainer, its not worth it.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:45 am to Cajun Revolution
quote:
It'd never thought I'd get in but apparently my resume, recommendations and letter were enough to make up for my General Studies undergrad at LSU. I didn't even take a LSAT, much less GMAT.
I'm jelly. Got denied by GWU with a 3.9 GPA, a 165 LSAT and two letter from sitting US Senators at the time.
Do it.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 9:59 am to Cajun Revolution
It sounds like you want to do it. It might be a short-term risk and ultimately not worth the money, but it's not like you'll end up going backwards in terms of career arc. 28 is pretty much prime time to get a masters if that's what you really want to do.
I'm currently a GW PhD student and the school is extremely well run and efficient.
I'm currently a GW PhD student and the school is extremely well run and efficient.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 10:27 am to Cajun Revolution
quote:
It'd never thought I'd get in but apparently my resume, recommendations and letter were enough to make up for my General Studies undergrad at LSU. I didn't even take a LSAT, much less GMAT.
quote:
Procurement/Contracts Law program
It sounds like this is a very specialized master's program. If that's what you are really into and you feel there is enough demand in the job market, go ahead.
Maybe I'm stuck in an old school train of thought but sounds like it could just be a money maker for the school ... enticing kids that couldn't get into a top law or MBA program.
The fact that you didn't have to take the LSAT or GMAT would make me very nervous as to the legitimacy of the program (or at least how serious people will view it).
You aren't getting a JD, so you won't be able to practice, you won't get your MBA...
I don't know, again, if you know of the demand for their graduates and feel comfortable with the risk of the debt, go ahead...I wouldn't.
If it were me, I'd get the JD and look for a combo MBA program...but that's coming from a lawyer.
This post was edited on 7/25/14 at 10:29 am
Posted on 7/25/14 at 11:21 am to Cajun Revolution
quote:
It'd never thought I'd get in but apparently my resume, recommendations and letter were enough to make up for my General Studies undergrad at LSU. I didn't even take a LSAT, much less GMAT.
quote:
The George Washington University and got accepted
I have a hard time believing this then. No offense but a top 20 law program wouldn't do this. Maybe if you are ethnic? a JD/MBA program is even harder to get into... Gotta call bullshite and yes it would be worth the expense if it is a true JD/MBA program.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 11:23 am to Cajun Revolution
I can tell you one thing...the cost of any higher education whether undergrad or grad is skyrocketing and salary inflation is NOT keeping pace.
The analysis is very position/career-path/industry specific, though. You really have to do some directed research in salaries/opportunities for those with such an advanced degree vs. those in the same or similar positions.
The analysis is very position/career-path/industry specific, though. You really have to do some directed research in salaries/opportunities for those with such an advanced degree vs. those in the same or similar positions.
Posted on 7/25/14 at 11:25 am to Cajun Revolution
quote:
Cajun Revolution
If this is something you really want to do, then go ahead and do it. For your first semester, it might be better to move up there and get settled in and then find a job once you get there. You'll want to find out the commitment that school will require before you find a job. Also, check into Graduate Assistantships. I had one that paid my tuition and I got a small monthly stipend. I worked in the reference library 20 hours a week.
Good luck!!
Posted on 7/25/14 at 11:36 am to Cajun Revolution
If you can afford it, don't have any extenuating circumstances keeping you from moving up there for school, and don't have decent job prospects already, do it.
Otherwise, not worth it.
I could have gone to law school for cheap, but I was offered a job in my field right out of undergrad, so I couldn't justify the time and expense to get that next level degree. Every situation is different.
It's hard to scoff at an education from a tier 1 law school like George Washington, though.
Otherwise, not worth it.
I could have gone to law school for cheap, but I was offered a job in my field right out of undergrad, so I couldn't justify the time and expense to get that next level degree. Every situation is different.
It's hard to scoff at an education from a tier 1 law school like George Washington, though.
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